Source: Radio New Zealand
Luca Harrington after completing a Slopestyle run at the X Games in Aspen. AFP
s econd medals] in Aspen as they build momentum ahead of the Winter Olympics.
Luca Harrington powered to New Zealand’s first golden moment at the Winter X Games as the overall medal tally climbed to five on day two in Aspen.
Harrington added a men’s Ski Slopestyle gold to the freeski Big Air silver he clinched the previous day while Zoi Sadowski-Synott also doubled her medal count.
Sadowski-Synott bagged silver in the snowboard Big Air, having also finished runner-up in the Slopestyle.
New Zealand’s third medal of the day was claimed by Rocco Jamieson, when he landed silver in the Snowboard Big Air.
Harrington underlined his Olympic credentials by defending the X Games title he won last year, when he famously entered the competition as an alternate.
The 21-year-old handled competition delays and tough conditions with aplomb, taking the lead after first run, in which he landed two triples.
Momentarily dropping off the leaderboard, he then posted a score of 94.33 to clinch gold in round two to become just the third skier to win back-to-back golds in the event.
Snow Sports NZ head coach high oerformance park and pipe Tom Willmott said Harrington’s display was impressive given the conditions.
“Luca kept in the hunt, made the most of training, and just smashed it scoring the highest in the first run, getting bumped down as conditions improved, only to step right up in his second run to claim the title going back-to-back following his win as a rookie last year.,” Wilmott said.
FIS Park & Pipe
Sadowski-Synnott, who has been recuperating from a knee complaint, was bettered only by Cocomo Murase of xx who landed a never-been-done backside triple cork 1620 to win the gold with a score of 96.66.
Willmott said: “Zoi landed a flawless back triple 14 first run and was able to improve on the second. Given she has been out of action for a while, it was incredible (although true to form) for her to build right back to her best level of riding.”
Jamieson saved his best for last across his three runs, landing a backside 2160 to score 90.66 points.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
